Diabetes Due to Stress? Or Stress Due to diabetes?

28. Oct 2024 | Valuable information

Diabetes Is Related to Stress – But What Came First?

In recent years, several studies have been published demonstrating a link between psychological stress and the development of type 2 diabetes. But it has also been shown that people with this disease often subjectively experience more stress. This begs the question: what came first?

But First of All, What Is Diabetes and How Does It Impact Our Society?

According to a WHO report, 830 million people worldwide were suffering from diabetes in 2022. As one of the most common chronic diseases, diabetes is also one of the main causes of secondary diseases and comorbidities such as kidney failure, blindness, stroke and heart attack, as well as the need for amputation of the feet. Diabetes occurs when either the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or the body cannot use the insulin produced effectively.

In addition to the common diabetes types 1 and 2, there are further distinctions among other forms. Type 4, for example, is also known as gestational diabetes. In type 1 diabetes, which often occurs in childhood, not enough insulin is produced, which leads to an absolute insulin deficiency. Type 2, which affects more than 95% of diabetics, often develops later in life when the body is no longer able to use the insulin produced effectively. Gestational diabetes is usually hormonal.

Type 2 diabetes is influenced by strong genetic factors on the one hand, while on the other, the risk factors for developing the condition are primarily lifestyle-related and can be actively influenced. The most important factors for the onset of diabetes are a high-fat diet resulting in obesity and a lack of exercise. High blood pressure and stress, as previously mentioned, are also relevant.

So Back to the Original Question: Does Stress Cause Diabetes or the Other Way Around?

In a study, scientists investigated the temporal sequence of diabetes and subjectively perceived stress. They came to the conclusion that stress can be classified as a risk factor. In other words, stressed people are more likely to develop diabetes. The same conclusion was reached in another study that investigated how the stress level of students influences the occurrence of diabetes.

On the other hand, there is also a connection between stress and diabetes in that the subjectively perceived stress level is generally higher in people with the disease. So both are possible: stress first or diabetes first.

Whether the stress level increases before the illness or as a consequence, stress has an effect on how you can fight the illness. A high stress level changes the hormone balance and can therefore have a negative impact on your own blood sugar control, diet and exercise levels, among other things. It can also influence how closely you adhere to a medication plan. In other words, the higher the stress level, the more difficult it is for many patients to take good care of their diabetes themselves.

Regardless of whether the stress was already there before the illness or only came afterwards: self-care is important and mediteo can support you in keeping a firm grip on your medication plan even in stressful times!

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